Staff Writer
Members of the 2008 graduating class at the Caribou Alternative High School held commencement ceremonies last week. Family members and guests of the students filled the gymnasium, enjoying a luncheon prior to the awarding of diplomas.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Graduation exercises for the students of the Caribou Alternative High School Class of 2008 were held last week at the alternative education site. Those received their diplomas at the commencement ceremony are, from left: Katina Burby (Fort Fairfield High School), Chris Bechard, Danielle Miller, Josh Haney, Kelly Dewley, Jared Thompson and Maria Caparotta.
Entering the gymnasium to the song, “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts, the graduating seniors were welcomed by the director of the alternative education center, Dan MacDonald.
Guest speaker Buffy McNeal, encouraged the graduates to “Live, laugh, love and learn.” “Be inspired, living is more than getting up in the morning, open a door for someone, acts of kindness are a big part of living, open a door, enter the world,” she added.
McNeal related a story about modeling clay,, depicting a comparison to life to the young adults, using the analogy of having only two colors of Play-Doh or having the elite set which has 12 colors and all kinds of tools to create things with.
“You can spend your life with two colors of Play – Doh, sitting on the sidelines, feeling sorry for yourself or you can see what you can make with the two different colors and not compare what your dealt to what others have. Only you can make the decision, you can let the Play – Doh sit in the can or you can join someone else who has the other colors and tools,” enforced McNeal.
Graduating senior Kelly Dewley addressed her classmates, with best wishes, good luck and many thanks to her friends and the teachers at the alternative high school. “When I entered this school, I was sick of trying, thank you to my teachers who encouraged me ,” said Dewley.
Following Dewley’s address, student Josh Haney presented a poetry dedication entitled, “Our Adventures.”
Diplomas were awarded by Frank McElwain, Brenda Felch and Dan MacDonald; a Fort Fairfield High School student received her diploma from Marc Gendron and Mark Jenkins.
Alternative High School graduates 2008 are: Christopher Bechard, Katina Burby, Maria Lynn Caparotta, Kelly Lynn Dewley, Joshua Michael Haney, Danielle Miller and Jared Douglas Thompson.
